Petroleum Council Staff

Ron Ness is president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council. His primary function is governmental relations in North Dakota. He serves as the industry spokesperson and manages the association which represents more than 500 companies involved in all aspects of North Dakota’s oil and gas industry.

Ness was previously the President of the North Dakota Retail and Petroleum Marketers Association. Prior to that he spent ten years with the state of North Dakota, most of which as the Deputy Commissioner of Labor.

Ness is a Tolna, North Dakota native, a graduate of North Dakota State University in Business and Economics, and received his masters in management from the University of Mary.

Ness was appointed by Governor Dalrymple to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, the Oil and Gas Research Council, and the Empower North Dakota Commission. He also serves on the Energy Environmental Research Center’s Foundation Board of Directors and is Chairman of the Board for Leadership North Dakota. He coaches his son’s little league baseball team.

He and his wife Becky have three children and are avid outdoorsmen, who enjoy golfing, fishing and hunting.

Kari Cutting is vice president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council. As vice president, she will provide leadership in developing and executing strategy, manage Petroleum Council activities, and provide communication support for the association. You can reach her directly at 701.557.7741 or kcutting@ndoil.org.

A North Dakota native, Cutting has a diverse background in the state’s energy industry, including more than 25 years of experience in chemistry, sales, marketing and transportation.

Cutting received a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of North Dakota and a Master of Science in management from Minot State University.

Tessa Sandstrom is director of communications for the North Dakota Petroleum Council. You can reach her directly at 701.557.7744 or tsandstrom@ndoil.org

Prior to joining the North Dakota Petroleum Council, Sandstrom served under Sen. John Hoeven as a member of his senior staff in Washington, D.C. Sandstrom also managed communications for Hoeven's 2008 re-election campaign for Governor, managed new media and research for his 2010 campaign for Senate, and served as a legislative research analyst and communications specialst for then-Governor Hoeven.

Sandstrom, a native of New Town, ND, graduated from the University of North Dakota with a bachelor's degrees in Communication, English and German.

Alexis Brinkman-Baxley is government relations manager for the North Dakota Petroleum Council. You can reach her directly at 701.557.7743 or abrinkman@ndoil.org.

She graduated from North Dakota State University with a bachelor's degree in public relations and advertising. Her previous work experience includes Clearwater Communications and North American Coal.

A Golden Valley, ND native, Brinkman enjoys traveling, playing volleyball, and serving as the communications director for the North Dakota Leadership Seminar.

Brittany Jasper is membership manager for the North Dakota Petroleum Council. You can reach her at 701.223.6380 or brittany@ndoil.org.

She graduated with a bachelor's degree in energy management, and a minor in process plant technology from Bismarck State College.

Kay Roth is administrative assistant for the North Dakota Petroleum Council. You can reach her directly at 701.223.6380 or kroth@ndoil.org.

Her previous work experience includes department manager of the Departments of Internal Medicine and Neurosciences at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, along with serving under former Governor Edward Schafer as a member of his support staff.

A native of Scranton, ND, she is very family-oriented and enjoys spending time with her husband, five children, three grandchildren, and two dogs.